The lack of a decision review system cost Australia two wickets and precious momentum after the hosts ended a controversial opening day of the first Test against India on 277 for six at the MCG.
That's the view of opening batsman Ed Cowan, who had good grounds for his opinion after he hit a half century before being given out caught behind off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin when replays backed him up that he hadn't connected.
This happened shortly after Mike Hussey also departed angrily when he was dismissed in a similar manner for a first-ball duck off a fiery Zaheer Khan.
Australia recovered through an unbeaten 63-run stand by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin and paceman Peter Siddle to give the hosts a slight edge at the close, but the outspoken 29-year-old Cowan says the chance to drive home that advantage was stolen.
India's cricket board vetoed the use of the review system before the series, leaving both players fuming that they had no recourse, but the tourists were also frustrated when numerous appeals were turned down in the final session.
Zaheer dismissed number six Hussey a ball after bowling captain Michael Clarke for 31, before Ashwin made it three wickets for the addition of nine runs to leave Australia reeling on 214 for six.
Hussey's dismissal by umpire Marais Erasmus left him furious and television replays appeared to show the ball missing his glove and glancing his sleeve on the way through to India skipper MS Dhoni.
Amid the drama, Haddin (21) and Siddle (34) rode their luck to stumps but the Australian wicketkeeper appeared particularly fortunate when a strong lbw appeal was turned down despite it appearing plum in front on the replay.
